Car Park Owner Pledges Action After Meeting Held Over Flooding Concerns
Written by HFM News on 1st March 2021
The owner of a car park in Market Harborough which floods during prolonged rainfall, has pledged to take action in a bid to stop cars getting submerged.
It follows talks with Harborough District Council, the Environment Agency and Harborough MP Neil O’Brien, amid on-going concerns about the situation.
The car park opposite the railway station off Rockingham Road, is on a functional floodplain, where the River Jordan and River Welland meet.
It has flooded numerous times over the past few years, the latest in January, although no cars were parked at that time.
Owners of the land are set to introduce technology to alert them when the river levels are increasing, so they can close the car park in advance, and also improve signage warning drivers of the risk.
Harborough MP Neil O’Brien spoke to Hfm after the meeting:
An Environment Agency spokesperson told Hfm: “The car park at Welland Quarter is functional floodplain that will store water during high river flows, reducing the risk of flooding to nearby homes and businesses.”
“We understand the owners are considering making the site more resilient to flooding. Should they wish to do so a flood risk permit will be required which we can advise upon.”
Submerged cars in the car park during flooding in 2019
